anyone opposed to resigning hecht at 1-1.5M to play 4th line center?

i think its a real interesting thought, if hes healthy
- adubs14

if he passed the tests, and that is a big if

I would not be opposed to having him sign a 1 year deal to be 4th liner with some pk time as a winger

but that is a big if

All of this makes a decent amount of sense, except I fully expect Staal to get moved rather than resigned. I think there's too much value that could be had for the role that he needs to play, as great of a player as he could become, I think the fruition of his value will be in the GREAT return that will eventually come for him. May not be the Sabres, but someone will make it worth the Pens while.
- BuffaJoe

There is literally nothing out there right now that points to him resigning or him being traded.

That needs tweaking, especially if it's going to be a shutdown line. I really like that second line, Stewart is a power forward that would do wonders for Vanek.
- rcostel77

The way I've got it...
The parise-dubinsky-pominville line is likely the one that would go up against other teams "top lines"

I put Adam at center w gerbe n Tropp / Kaleta for a couple reasons
1st, we wouldn't need it to be the shutdown line
2nd, playing in a lower line takes a lot of pressure off Adam which he seemed to have trouble with
3rd, it gets gerbe with some more talent offensively... IMO, he struggled so much last year bc he was stuck plaing w guys like McCormick, kaleta, etc..
Gerbe-Adam-Tropp is probably the most prolific 4th line in the NHL,
But still retains some grit with Tropp n gerbe

That 4th line prob dominates other teams' 4th lines
Which is another reason I put Adam there instead of McCormick, or bring goose back, for example

anyone opposed to resigning hecht at 1-1.5M to play 4th line center?

i think its a real interesting thought, if hes healthy
- adubs14

Too risky for me. Especially since Lindy wouldn't put him on the 4th line.

anyone opposed to resigning hecht at 1-1.5M to play 4th line center?

i think its a real interesting thought, if hes healthy
- adubs14

$800,000 contract maximum; but then again, there wouldn't really be any grit on that fourth line.

i like each of the deals but not sure how realistic the dubi deal is...think he could take a lot more (mid to high range prospect plus the 2nd and 4th/5th), but i would still be willing to make that deal.

my only issue with dubi,hodg, ennis is there is still no true #1 center on this team, and i am not convinced they can win the cup without one
- adubs14

Everyone agrees that we need a #1 C. No doubt. The problem is if one of those guys are available, half of the league is going to go after them.

I don't want DR to not add a Parise, Ryan, Dubinsky, hell, even Prust or Stoll just because they aren't a #1 center. If he can make the roster better, do it. If nothing else it makes the team more attractive when the next center becomes available and it shakes up what we have been watching for the last 5 years.

The way I've got it...
The parise-dubinsky-pominville line is likely the one that would go up against other teams "top lines"

I put Adam at center w gerbe n Tropp / Kaleta for a couple reasons
1st, we wouldn't need it to be the shutdown line
2nd, playing in a lower line takes a lot of pressure off Adam which he seemed to have trouble with
3rd, it gets gerbe with some more talent offensively... IMO, he struggled so much last year bc he was stuck plaing w guys like McCormick, kaleta, etc..
Gerbe-Adam-Tropp is probably the most prolific 4th line in the NHL,
But still retains some grit with Tropp n gerbe

That 4th line prob dominates other teams' 4th lines
Which is another reason I put Adam there instead of McCormick, or bring goose back, for example
- jdfitz77

IMO this works if there is the proper coaching of these kids

sticking them out for 7 minutes a game does nothing

giving them 12 minutes a game, it could work

but you would need a foligno type player on one of the other lines (physical )
and a D man who is not afraid to drop the gloves

ducks won the cup with andy mcdonald as their top center

it could be done if the wingers did what they get paid to do
- homiedclown

they also had possibly the best dman pairing of the past 30 years in pronger and nieds, which the sabres are no where close to having.

plus, mcdonald put up a top line center season that year, with 78 pts including 51 assists. thats top line material in my book, even if it was only for one year

ducks won the cup with andy mcdonald as their top center

it could be done if the wingers did what they get paid to do
- homiedclown

They also did it with two of the top 3 defensemen of their generation anchoring the blue line too.

There is literally nothing out there right now that points to him resigning or him being traded.
- Gunner Staal

Except his obvious talent level and roster spot on the third line. I would do everything possible to keep him if I were the Pens, but only after I did everything possible to keep Crosby/Malkin. I also think that the return they could get for him would upgrade multiple other positions, and whatever the return would end up being would be more than adequate payment. Can't keep everyone, though if I were in your shoes I'd want to as well.

Too risky for me. Especially since Lindy wouldn't put him on the 4th line.
- BuffaJoe

if, say dubinsky, hodgson and ennis were in front of him at center, i think he'd have to.

i agree though, it would be a major concern of mine

plus, mcdonald put up a top line center season that year, with 78 pts including 51 assists. thats top line material in my book, even if it was only for one year
- adubs14

"what about a center that puts up 81 points
32 goals and 49 assists?"

roy9er

if he passed the tests, and that is a big if

I would not be opposed to having him sign a 1 year deal to be 4th liner with some pk time as a winger

but that is a big if
- homiedclown

i think its a better option than bringing goose or stoll in at 3M or so per.

They also did it with two of the top 3 defensemen of their generation anchoring the blue line too.
- Gunner Staal

I agree

I threw that out there so I could get roy in the mix with his 81 point season and stir the pot some more

"what about a center that puts up 81 points
32 goals and 49 assists?"

roy9er
- homiedclown

touche

Hockey Buzz! It's BANTASTIC!

Out of jail after a 24 hour stint in the hot box (not the good kind).

i think its a better option than bringing goose or stoll in at 3M or so per.
- adubs14

I like stoll for the 3rd line

not a fan of goose coming back and being our 3rd line center, too slow IMO

Hockey Buzz! It's BANTASTIC!

Out of jail after a 24 hour stint in the hot box (not the good kind).


- jochfr

what did you do?

what did you do?
- homiedclown

I sent you an PM I think....

I like stoll for the 3rd line

not a fan of goose coming back and being our 3rd line center, too slow IMO
- homiedclown

problem is, with the current set up, and thinking that any roy trade brings in another center....this team doesnt need a 3rd line center. 4th line is the only one needed.

wasnt there a blog earlier about the exact same thing? did it dry up so you needed to repeat yourself?
- dmarsden2988

i like each of the deals but not sure how realistic the dubi deal is...think he could take a lot more (mid to high range prospect plus the 2nd and 4th/5th), but i would still be willing to make that deal.

my only issue with dubi,hodg, ennis is there is still no true #1 center on this team, and i am not convinced they can win the cup without one
- adubs14

Dubinsky had such a bad year after signing tht big contract that if NYR really wants it off the books, I doubt they get a ton back...
But I could be wrong there...
Maybe with the cap going up so much they decide they can keep him if they can't get a good return for him

As far as a "#1" center goes....
I just don't think it matters that much
I'd much rather have Parise than getzlaf or Stastny...
He's just plain better...
Don't u agree?
IMO, it's more important the quality of talent/production we bring in, than it being at a particular position (center)

And I just don't see us giving up all it'll take to get a top line center, if there even is one available

Except his obvious talent level and roster spot on the third line. I would do everything possible to keep him if I were the Pens, but only after I did everything possible to keep Crosby/Malkin. I also think that the return they could get for him would upgrade multiple other positions, and whatever the return would end up being would be more than adequate payment. Can't keep everyone, though if I were in your shoes I'd want to as well.
- BuffaJoe

His return isnt going to be some monster win for the Penguins, he isnt signed long term. Staal being a pending UFA (not RFA) lowers his value. Because of this I think keeping him and risk losing him is actually more prudent. It will be tough for the Penguins to get "fair" value trading Staal.

Hockey Buzz! It's BANTASTIC!

Out of jail after a 24 hour stint in the hot box (not the good kind).


- jochfr

I got on him a few times over his "hope you disappear like....." comment a few years ago.

His blog and leaf blogs are the best place to go to get a senseless ban, aside from the first few pages of Ek's blog

problem is, with the current set up, and thinking that any roy trade brings in another center....this team doesnt need a 3rd line center. 4th line is the only one needed.
- adubs14

konopka